§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy that anyone facing a benefits sanction for breach of labour market conditions or the New Deal rule will initially be sent a warning letter giving contact details for local advice agencies. [113934]
§ Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 19 May 2003Before a sanction is imposed, a Jobseeker's Allowance recipient is notified that a doubt has arisen on their claim. They are also asked if they wish to make a statement giving the grounds for their actions which caused the doubt to be raised. We have no plans to change these arrangements but keep them under review.